Sacramento gets soaked (again) as we ‘spring’ forward
Camellia petals on the ground -- and soggy, too! Yikes, gather those up to prevent the spread of blossom blight. Kathy Morrison
Keep your rain boots handy; our very wet March continues with storms in the forecast every day this week except Thursday.
Depending on where this latest atmospheric river flows, Sacramento could get another 2 inches – or double that amount. According to the National Weather Service, the forecast is quite literally fluid.
On Saturday morning, the weather service issued warnings for thunderstorms and funnel clouds into Saturday night. Sunday’s forecast calls for “definite rain showers and thunderstorms.” The chance of precipitation on Tuesday is 100%.
Meanwhile, our temperatures have drifted up to almost normal. Afternoon highs will still be on the cool side – right around 60 to 62 degrees – but overnight lows will be in the mid 40s to mid 50s, enough of an increase to start warming up the soil.
It’s also time to reset our clocks as we “spring” forward for Daylight Saving Time. Move your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
As a gardener, it’s time for patience. Although spring fever has definitely arrived, soil is going to be very wet after all this rain. Wait for water to drain before digging and planting. Walking on or working wet soil can compact it, turning clay particles into brick-like clods.
The good news: All this moisture should assure a big spring bloom – when our sunshine finally returns.
* Fertilize roses, annual flowers and berries as spring growth begins to appear.
* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.
* Once the rain stops, start preparing vegetable beds. Spade in compost and other amendments.
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
* Feed camellias at the end of their bloom cycle. Pick up browned and fallen flowers to help corral blossom blight.
* Feed citrus trees when they start showing blooms.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* Transplant lettuce, collards and kale.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.
* This is your last chance to plant such cool-season annuals as pansies, violas and primroses.
* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.
* Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events. They can be transplanted now while the weather remains relatively cool.
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Garden Checklist for week of May 5
Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:
* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.
* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.
* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.
* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.
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